I just love Barbara. She is the most talents entertainer I have ever seen in my lifetime. Her 2 sisters are also amazing. So much talent in one family and I struggle to learn just one instrument, the guitar.
While I posted this elsewhere, I do like the way that the topic of the public aftermath of the accident is addressed. It honestly should be required viewing for those detractors of her and her legacy to see the end results. As posted elsewhere: I remember well that evening of 1984 and sitting up all night crying at what had happened. If I recall correctly, I didn't even go to school the next day because of how upset I was. I was 13 at the time and my life was Barbara Mandrell and her music. Still to this day, she is one of the main musical influences on my life and I have never grown tired of her music (those long time fans will get that pun from her album release Get To The Heart). I think that even more so that what is truly important is that the wreck, while yes, it sideline her professional life and the health of the family, there is still a major injustice to this story that is not often reported. In 1986, I remember when her final MCA album was about to be released and the lead of single of "No One Mends A Broken Heart Like You", I talked with a radio station DJ and requested the song. He promptly told me that "Hell no I won't play that after what she did and no one wants to hear it!". He went on to talk to me about how she sued the White family and how wrong it was and that was why she would never be a star again. I was crushed. (Ironically, that same DJ in 1996 would be killed in a head on collision.) While she has talked about this on Oprah, it was lightly brushed upon in the book, but it needs to be discussed here. Barbara Mandrell only sued the family that struck her car because of the law of the state of TN, being a No Fault State. It was not her being heartless, cruel, or seeking revenge. In order for her to obtain and make claim on her insurance, suit had to be filed regardless of her status. NOTHING against the White family was ever claimed and she even had private conversations to that fact, yet at the direction of her attorneys, had to remain silent. The media, and their tabloid-like delivery, painted a vastly different picture that did more harm than it ever did good...and that was all the public saw. As a result, long time fans believed those stories and either left supporting her or, sadly, would even send vicious attacks to her. It would be years later, after the damage was already done, that the truth would be brought forward, but by that time, people had moved on and a legacy tarnished. Even her insurance company had filed for bankruptcy after the claim and it was nearly a decade before she was ever paid out what she deserved, and even then it was a fraction of the policy that she had paid for. This perception needs to be changed...and here we are, in 2016. It's amazing the things that people will believe about a person negatively but will not at all take the steps for themselves to find out the whole picture and realize, Barbara Mandrell was not at all what you thought because of this. Barbara is still very much an icon and the world of Country Music and, music in genre, owes her a great debt for her progressive nature, talent, showmanship, and for being a dedicated professional and private figure.
Thanks for this wonderful explanation. I read her autobiography when it first came out and read it again recently. I am such a huge fan of hers. Barbara is the most talented entertainer I have ever seen in my lifetime. I have seen her in concert, probably a 1/2 dozen times, always great.
Thank you for posting this.. and you are so correct..people didn't take the time to educate themselves on the laws of this situation..I have adored Barbara Mandrell since the song Sleeping single in a Double bed, I was 7 yrs old then came Crackers in 1980, I was 9 yrs old .. Then the Fabulous Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters came along November 1980 , I has just turned 11 and I was hooked on this Fabulous trio and Barbara Mandrell to this day 🥰🥰🥰 1981 a song that will always be a number one in my heart.. I WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL ❤️ 💙 ♥️ IN April of 1983 my twin sister and I got to make a memory we hold dear and near ♥️ my parents took us to see her in concert. She was performing in the UTC Mckenzie Arena in Chattanooga Tn. We has great seats and it will forever be a highlight in my life... you are a special lady Barbara Ann Mandrell.. ❤️
Barbara is a stand up woman and performer and I think if her fans were true fans they would have never left her side. I hope people understand that she is a human being as well not just an entertainer! Barbara is the queen of country back then and still in the world today. The female country artists today do not hold a candle next to this woman.. Barbara I miss you...
The act of putting their seat belt on may have positioned them for the accident was just that act, changes everything. She likely slowed down a bit while putting on the belt and making sure the kids did. Likely would have never had the accident. I am for wearing seat belts don't get me wrong
I just love Barbara. She is the most talents entertainer I have ever seen in my lifetime. Her 2 sisters are also amazing. So much talent in one family and I struggle to learn just one instrument, the guitar.
While I posted this elsewhere, I do like the way that the topic of the public aftermath of the accident is addressed. It honestly should be required viewing for those detractors of her and her legacy to see the end results.
As posted elsewhere: I remember well that evening of 1984 and sitting up all night crying at what had happened. If I recall correctly, I didn't even go to school the next day because of how upset I was. I was 13 at the time and my life was Barbara Mandrell and her music. Still to this day, she is one of the main musical influences on my life and I have never grown tired of her music (those long time fans will get that pun from her album release Get To The Heart).
I think that even more so that what is truly important is that the wreck, while yes, it sideline her professional life and the health of the family, there is still a major injustice to this story that is not often reported. In 1986, I remember when her final MCA album was about to be released and the lead of single of "No One Mends A Broken Heart Like You", I talked with a radio station DJ and requested the song. He promptly told me that "Hell no I won't play that after what she did and no one wants to hear it!". He went on to talk to me about how she sued the White family and how wrong it was and that was why she would never be a star again. I was crushed. (Ironically, that same DJ in 1996 would be killed in a head on collision.)
While she has talked about this on Oprah, it was lightly brushed upon in the book, but it needs to be discussed here.
Barbara Mandrell only sued the family that struck her car because of the law of the state of TN, being a No Fault State. It was not her being heartless, cruel, or seeking revenge. In order for her to obtain and make claim on her insurance, suit had to be filed regardless of her status. NOTHING against the White family was ever claimed and she even had private conversations to that fact, yet at the direction of her attorneys, had to remain silent. The media, and their tabloid-like delivery, painted a vastly different picture that did more harm than it ever did good...and that was all the public saw.
As a result, long time fans believed those stories and either left supporting her or, sadly, would even send vicious attacks to her. It would be years later, after the damage was already done, that the truth would be brought forward, but by that time, people had moved on and a legacy tarnished. Even her insurance company had filed for bankruptcy after the claim and it was nearly a decade before she was ever paid out what she deserved, and even then it was a fraction of the policy that she had paid for.
This perception needs to be changed...and here we are, in 2016. It's amazing the things that people will believe about a person negatively but will not at all take the steps for themselves to find out the whole picture and realize, Barbara Mandrell was not at all what you thought because of this. Barbara is still very much an icon and the world of Country Music and, music in genre, owes her a great debt for her progressive nature, talent, showmanship, and for being a dedicated professional and private figure.
Thanks for this wonderful explanation. I read her autobiography when it first came out and read it again recently. I am such a huge fan of hers. Barbara is the most talented entertainer I have ever seen in my lifetime. I have seen her in concert, probably a 1/2 dozen times, always great.
Thank you for posting this.. and you are so correct..people didn't take the time to educate themselves on the laws of this situation..I have adored Barbara Mandrell since the song Sleeping single in a Double bed, I was 7 yrs old then came Crackers in 1980, I was 9 yrs old .. Then the Fabulous Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters came along November 1980 , I has just turned 11 and I was hooked on this Fabulous trio and Barbara Mandrell to this day 🥰🥰🥰 1981 a song that will always be a number one in my heart..
I WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL ❤️ 💙 ♥️ IN April of 1983 my twin sister and I got to make a memory we hold dear and near ♥️ my parents took us to see her in concert. She was performing in the UTC Mckenzie Arena in Chattanooga Tn. We has great seats and it will forever be a highlight in my life... you are a special lady Barbara Ann Mandrell.. ❤️
Barbara Mandrel is a country queen always have been and always will be she is a very talented lady and a very special lady
Most beautiful person ever to Grace the show business world!!!!
I was at the show in Branson that Rush Limbaugh was at! What a great memory!
Barbara is a stand up woman and performer and I think if her fans were true fans they would have never left her side. I hope people understand that she is a human being as well not just an entertainer! Barbara is the queen of country back then and still in the world today. The female country artists today do not hold a candle next to this woman.. Barbara I miss you...
Angie Kozyra ：…：１｜｜｀｜
My 2nd wife and I we're in the audience for this taping while on our honeymoon.
How cool. 1992 was it? I’m going by the commercials shown on here.
We still Love her we still miss her Stop using Barbara!!!!!!!!
Before she had that accident, she was at the top
The act of putting their seat belt on may have positioned them for the accident was just that act, changes everything. She likely slowed down a bit while putting on the belt and making sure the kids did. Likely would have never had the accident. I am for wearing seat belts don't get me wrong